Tag Archives: 464 SPX

First thing, you’ll notice that the rifle is sporting a different butt-stock. Thanks to Matt for sending it. The new stock still had some wiggle to it like most all M4 stocks do, but it’s not rattling as it fits much better than the original ATI. It’s bit lighter, and a lot less bulky. It feels much better. I’m keeping the rubber pad, which is the bulkiest bit now… not for recoil, but to anchor it in the shoulder while you run the lever. Recoil is a shove, since the gun weights nothing. But it’s nothing too sharp or uncomfortable. It may be a tad bit much for smaller children, but I have seen reduced recoil load for .30-30 – I believe from Federal, which would allow this gun to be quite manageable. For anyone else, it’s really no problem. Now, I did learn that the location I have that little Streamlight TLR-1 mounted at… That’s just got to go. Because that will impact your support hand in less than comfortable ways.Here are a few shot groups.
Yes, they are hitting a bit low because I still need to adjust them. I’ll do that once I pick up some Loctite and get out a tiny little screwdriver. Then I get set it and it will stay. But you can see the groups are not bad at all for a short, light lever-action carbine. That nice little Cloverleaf makes me very happy. These Mossberg 464’s are shooters right out of the box.

Now, they are no Winchester 94’s to be sure. The action still needs to work in and the loading gate and feed mechanisms need to wear in a bit… but the gun really did run great. I had no problems with it at all. I really couldn’t be happier with this little thumper.

Update: Here’s what it looks like now.I can’t wait to get this out and hunt with it. All I’m going to add to this gun is a sling. A simple black nylon GI sling.

I have already put a box of rounds through it, and I’m quiet happy with it. Functionally it was flawless, which was a huge step up from the last Lever Action I bought, the Marlin 1895, which immediately had to go back to the factory for 6 weeks.

The accuracy was very good. I have to say that I really like the way this thing shoots. It was shooting very accurately off hand. But I need to get to a range that actually has a Bench so I can really see what this thing will do.

As you can see, I didn’t get the version with the flash-hider. Because I thought about it and admitted to myself that I will never be doing anything with that threaded end anyway because if I want to go quiet, well, I’ll be using a very different weapon for that sort of work. This is going to strictly be for hunting. So I saved 50 bucks on got the shorter option. I like the shortness of it. It feels extremely short. And light. WOW, this rifle is light. Seriously… it’s like 1/2 the weight of a Marlin 336. I threw a tac-light on it just because, well, I can. Other than a sling, that’s going to be the extent of add-ons. I’m not decking this thing out. In fact, I may remove the rails all together. I’ve not decided yet. The stock has GOT to GO! I really can’t tell you how much I hate this ATI stock. It detracts from the entire rifle. I thought I had a Magpul CTR stock here at the house, but I think I remember that I had given it away back in Jacksonville to a guy in my church. So I will be needing a replacement stock as soon as possible. I don’t care if it’s a standard M4 stock or even a TAPCO… anything is a step up from this ATI. Stocks should not rattle and wobble. Ever.
Along with the rifle, I grabbed a box of Remington HOG HAMMER ammo, as well as my favorite Federal Blue Box stuff for further plinking work. I was going to get some Hornady LEVERevolutions for it… but I’m well familiar with how they perform, and wanted to try something new.

This gun will be used to harvest some delicious Venison this fall. And with the Carolinas not having a limit on White Tail… I think I’m going to be harvesting a lot. At least that’s the goal. The hope. One buys a rifle like this not for the collector value, but for the hope of adventures that one can have with it.

I think I’m going to paint it. Just need to decide on how I’m going to go about it.

I know I’ve talked about the Mossberg 464 SPX before. I know I’ve said that I wanted it. Passing fad sort of want… But lately I’ve been thinking about it a lot more. Can’t get it out of my mind. Stupid sort of thing… like a pop-song that’s stuck in your head.

Gah… If I’m still jonesing for it this hard later this week, I’m going to have to do something about it. Something drastic and terrible. Like just buying one.

I can admit it when I’m wrong. I can change my opinion when new information comes to light. And I can change my opinion when something I once thought a disgusting abomination proves to be actually useful. Well, in this case, that Something is the Mossberg 464 SPX. When I first saw it in photos I thought it was a joke. When I first saw it in person at SHOT Show, I was horrified.
But over time, the Mossy 464 series has grown on me. And the SPX version has even become less offensive to my Lever Sensibilities. Now I’m at the point that not only to I actually like them… But I actually really WANT ONE.

Here’s what I like about the 464 SPX from O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc.1. It has good sights and not Buckhorns… No one likes Buckhorns, not even guys who know how to use them. And these work in lower light conditions. 2. The stock adjusts to fit different sized shooters, or the same shooter through all four seasons.
3. The muzzle end is threaded. This means you can take off the flash hider and put on a muzzle brake, or a suppressor… Or a thread protector and have nothing on it. You have options.
4. It’s a Mossberg… so while it’s not a Japanese made Winchester, or a questionably made Marlin, or Brazilian or Italian made whatever… It’s a solid, hardworking US Made rifle that’s going to get the job done.
5. The safety is actually in a logical place for a Lever Action.
6. These things actually shoot very well.

It does look better with a coating on it.

Ugly? Indeed… But it works. And that makes it rather attractive to me. I think if I had one I’d get the gun Cerakoted for improved corrosion resistance, put a sling on it and cover the rails… Maybe change the stock to a lighter unit. But that’s less important. I’d put a Battlecomp on it first chance I got. And then I’d call it good.

Updated: Okay, you guys know I am not one to leave well enough alone. I’ve been looking at the 464 series of rifles and there seems to be some holes in the line that could be filled.
The 16″ barreled SPX loses a round of capacity and a chunk of velocity from the standard 464 rifle with the 20″ barrel. I think it would be nice to offer a 20″ SPX and let it take advantage of that extra oomph and extra round. That’s one thing. The other thing, is the they have a nice weather proof marine finish… but with a not so weather proof wood stock. How about a Marine Finished SPX? And how about a Marine Finished 464 with a regular furniture, but in a sturdy synthetic? I know I’d like that. I’d also like a Trapper version of the 464. Traditional, but in 16″. Okay, we’ve got this ball rolling… Where is a .45-70 gun? That’s right… I’m looking for a Guide Gun Alternative here. The 464PH, Professional Hunter, make it like the Marlin’s SBL… top rail, big loop… Do the same config in .30-30 as well. And while we’re talking calibers… Let’s look at a .44 Mag version of the SPX and Trapper.